White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson working to help the White County Animal Shelter’s capacity issues. Robinson said there are several reasons for why the shelter is seeing such an influx, including an increase of surrenders after the pandemic and lack of fixing the animals. He said whatever those reasons are, he wanted to do something that might help. “We’ve ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools set to change its custodial services contract. The system approved a $3 million contract with HES in November 2020. Director of Schools Corby King said the principals expressed interest to rebid and provide better service. “The management at HES worked really hard to try to maintain the contract and work,” King said. “But there’s some labor issues ... Read More »

A group of citizens concerned about the proposed Enbridge natural gas pipeline is holding a people’s town hall this Monday. The natural gas line would run through Fentress, Jackson, Overton, and Putnam Counties following along the already-established East Tennessee Natural Gas System. Organizer Breanna Ortner said they were left unsatisfied with the information provided by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ... Read More »

Friends of the Baxter Depot holding a program that highlights three Baxter residents who were fixtures in Hollywood during the 20th century. Putnam County Archivist Glenn Jones said Roger Herren was born in Baxter in 1945. He was in films like Paint Your Wagon and the controversial film Myra Breckinridge. “I think it’s good to show people just anything history, ... Read More »

White County High School’s Warrior Media program seeing success in its new gym video boards. Principal Greg Wilson said the students have the capability to create team hype videos and more to elevate the game time atmosphere. “They’re professional quality,” Wilson said. “The kids are doing great and this is just another avenue to show our student-athletes and our students ... Read More »

Defeated Creek Youth Deer Management Hunt returns for its 11th year this weekend. Cordell Hull Park Ranger Spencer Taylor said young hunters between ages ten and 16 applied to participate. He said starting Saturday, eight hunters will take to eight, pre-set-up areas for hunting. “And it provides the interpretive opportunity to be able to reach these children in a controlled ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville will celebrate its 8th annual Christmas tree lighting in Dogwood Park this Sunday. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the city used to do the lightings at CPAC. Woods said former Mayor Ricky Shelton wanted to make the event bigger and more of a community event. “It’s a gathering place already, Dogwood Park tends to be ... Read More »

Cumberland River hospital supporters will speak to Senator Marsha Blackburn Monday about using a federal COVID program to help with reopening the facility. Owner Johnny Presley said the feds created a rural emergency hospital designation during COVID.  He said any hospital open as of December 27th, 2020 would be eligible for reimbursements and quarterly incentivized bonuses. Despite Cumberland River Hospital closing ... Read More »

While the rest of the Upper Cumberland has been dry, the designers working on the Upperman High School expansion have experienced the opposite: a lot of water and wet ground. Upland Design Architect Kim Chamberlain said crews have encountered the expected bad soil at the back of the site. “Work for the actual building, footprint itself where the ROTC and ... Read More »

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office searching missing Baxter man who was last seen on September 23rd. 35-year-old Perry Isaac Bowman was reported missing by family on Thursday, December 1st. Bowman is a white male. He is approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall, and approximately 175 pounds. Bowman has ties in Jackson, Putnam and Cumberland counties. Read More »